Students plan UW-Madison’s first Fashion Week

Last year, stylish students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison made a name for themselves by creating MODA, an online fashion magazine. Now, these young entrepreneurs plan to present the first annual UW–Madison Fashion Week.

From Monday, March 12 through Friday, March 16, Fashion Week events will provide an opportunity for young designers and fashion lovers to share their work and network with peers in a professional yet fun setting.

“UW-Madison Fashion Week showcases a weeklong glimpse into the various facets of the fashion world that our students and community have to offer,” says junior Mia Hanekamp, MODA Editor-in-Chief.

The week kicks off on Monday, March 12 with MODA’s Night Out, held at 6 p.m. at the Icon, 206 State St. Featuring pieces from three designers, this “mocktail” party (proper attire preferred) offers an opportunity to network with model scouts, writers, editors and others in the fashion industry.

On Wednesday, a panel discussion entitled “Street Smart: Blogging for a Stylish World” discusses style blogging, social media and shaping a personal online brand. The event takes place at 6 p.m. at the Memorial Union (see TITU for details). Participants include fashion bloggers from Chicago, Minneapolis and Milwaukee, as well as Don Stanley, a faculty associate in Life Sciences Communication at UW–Madison, and Shayna Miller, a columnist at Madison Magazine columnist.

The week’s events lead up to an exciting Friday finale, held at the Sett in Union South: a runway show featuring clothing from over a dozen local and national retailers. Doors open at 6 p.m.; before the 8 p.m. show, patrons will enjoy food and drink as they walk a red carpet with friends. Music will be provided by Chicago’s BBU and UW–Madison’s DJ Diox. The event is co-sponsored by the WUD Music Committee.

MODA, sponsored by WUD’s Publications Committee, is now heading into its second year. With columns such as “Ask Our Stylist” and “Street Smart,” MODA highlights chic, affordable ways to improve fashion, nightlife, dining and lifestyle: “four major aspects of your style that sometimes get neglected in the haze of college life.”